Before we start talking about this week’s slate of high school games, lets back track to last Saturday night and discuss college football for a quick sec.
ABC’s national game of the week happened to be Syracuse-Notre Dame, and being a ‘Cuse alumnus, I was planted on the couch with my eyes glued to the TV for what turned out to be 3 1/2 painful hours.
If you caught the game, you’d probably agree it was a one-sided affair. The Fighting Irish were simply more athletic at every position on the gridiron.
One name that kept being mentioned throughout the broadcast was Notre Dame middle linebacker Joe Schmidt, and for good reason. The kid was flying around the field, making open-field tackles, dropping opponents in the backfield, deflecting passes, ultimately earning him praise from the broadcast team.
When his player profile appeared on the TV screen early in the fourth quarter, I was pleasantly surprised at what it read: an Orange, CA, native who attended Mater Dei High School.
In doing some research, Schmidt graduated from Mater Dei in 2011 and walked on at Notre Dame later that fall. Despite limited playing time his sophomore and junior years, Schmidt has worked his way to becoming the starting middle linebacker for the No. 9 team in the country.
More than anything else, watching Schmidt – a local boy – succeed on the national stage was a nice reminder that we live in one of the most talent-rich high school football communities in the country.
It’s a pleasure watching tomorrow’s future stars on Friday nights.
Now on to week 5.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
There were 47 football games played last week featuring at least one county team. This week that number drops to 33 local tilts, 12 of which are being played on Thursday.
The reason?
A good chunk of schools have already played five preseason games even though we haven’t even kicked off Week 5.
The growing popularity of Week 0 has made it easier for teams to rest up this particular weekend, which is important being as Week 6 is typically the start of league play. That is, after all, what counts when determining playoff berths.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH
Sonora’s Jacob Fimbres vs. Whittier Christian
Unlike the Oakland Raiders, the Sonora Raiders (4-0) have been scoring points in bunches. Paul Chiotti’s squad is averaging 45.5 points an outing, and that number could grow this week.
The Heralds lost, 78-74, a week ago to Western Christian of Upland in what is looking like Orange County’s 2014 version of Arturo Gatti–Micky Ward I.
Prior to their game against Whittier Christian, the Fighting Lancers had not topped 14 points in a game this season.
Sonora, on the other hand, has scored at least 14 points in six different quarters this year. Coincidentally, the Raiders also put up 78 points in a game three weeks ago when they toppled Saddleback, 78-19.
With the Heralds giving up 462 yards on the ground last week, there’s no doubting Sonora – behind five returning starters on the offensive line – will pound the football with Fimbres. The junior tailback’s 142 yards per game is good enough for eighth in the county, and his 13 touchdowns is tied for first.
Look for him put up some big time numbers this week against the Heralds.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH
Foothill’s Logan Wetherholt vs. Canyon
Running the football has not been a strong suit for Canyon this season. The Comanches (0-4) have rushed the ball 108 times, gaining a total of 170 yards. That’s a grand total of 1.6 yards a carry.
One of the biggest reasons the rushing attack hasn’t been where Coach Mike Ogas would like it to be is the fact that Canyon has trailed in 15 of the 16 quarters it has played. The easiest way to play catch up, happens to be throwing the football.
Canyon will find itself in a world of trouble if it falls behind again this week. Foothill (2-2) boasts a quality defensive line highlighted by Wetherholt, a 2013 All-Century League defensive end a year ago.
If the Comanches are forced to pass early, Wetherholt and his linemates will pin their ears back and cause nothing but headaches for Canyon quarterback Jason Harman.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
From Bruce Rollinson, Mater Dei coach:
“We’re 4-0 and we got a fast turnaround because we have to go to Westlake. I think if we leave for Westlake in an hour we might be there on time.”
That was the Monarchs’ longtime coach moments after last Friday’s win against Edison.
Mater Dei’s campus is just about 75 miles away from Westlake’s. While the traffic is definitely concerning, I’m sure Rollinson is more worried about the Warriors.
Which brings me to…
GAME TO WATCH
No. 1 Mater Dei (4-0) at Westlake of Westlake Village (3-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Considering how bad the NFL’s Thursday Night football games have been so far, why not make the trip to watch this game?
In the latest CIF-SS rankings, Mater Dei came in at No. 2 in the Pac-5 Division. Westlake came in at No. 9, sandwiched between Servite and Santa Margarita.
While Mater Dei’s defense has been dominant through four games, the Warriors should pose the biggest challenge yet.
Junior quarterback Malik Henry is touted as one of the best players in the class of 2016. Rivals.com has him ranked as the ninth best player nationally in next year’s class, and the offers he has received from Florida State, Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State only strengthen that case.
While he might not have the hype that Henry has, Mater Dei’s Jack Lowary has proven to be solid under center for the Monarchs. The 6-foot-4 senior has yet to toss an interception in 89 pass attempts.
Another solid performance from the Mater Dei offensive line would go a long way in their final preseason showdown.
